Orlando Magic at Indiana Pacers on Thursday, December 31 is about as close to a coin flip as the ratings get, with the Magic at only 57%. Small things like rest, health and shooting variance should decide it.
Why it is so close
The Win Meter reads the Magic 57%, with a projected score of Orlando Magic 114, Indiana Pacers 112. The rating gap is 152 points in favor of the Magic, and home court and rest add about 100 rating points for the Pacers on top of that.
Readings in this range leave plenty of room for the other side. About 43 times in 100 games like this, the Pacers would win.
Recent form
The Magic are 0-2 this season and 0-5 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -14.4. The Pacers are 1-1 this season and 2-3 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -1.4.
The Magic were beaten 115-93 at home by MIN not long ago.
The Pacers' best recent win was 123-94 on the road against BKN.
The Pacers were beaten 121-105 at home by DAL not long ago.
Injuries to watch
Out: Izaiyah Nelson (ORL), expected back Nov 18, 2026, Noah Penda (ORL), expected back Nov 18, 2026, Johnny Furphy (IND), expected back Jan 2, 2027, and Ben Sheppard (IND), expected back Dec 1, 2026.
Day to day or questionable: Anthony Black (ORL), Jonathan Isaac (ORL), Paolo Banchero (ORL), and T.J. McConnell (IND). Their status can change before tip-off.
The season series
In our records of recent meetings, the Magic lead 5-2, with the Magic outscoring the Pacers by an average of 3.3 points per game. The last meeting was IND 128, ORL 126.